MONAHUKUKAntalyaTürkiye

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Inheritance Law

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Many foreigners who own property, bank accounts, or interests in Turkey eventually face the question of how those assets will pass to their heirs. The fact that heirs may live in different countries, may not hold Turkish citizenship, and in some files require action under foreign court orders adds significant complexity. Without proper information and legal guidance, such files can drag on for months or even years.

As an inheritance lawyer in Antalya, we support foreign heirs through every stage — issuance of certificates of inheritance, estate inventory, transfer procedures, division of the estate, and the recognition of foreign wills in Turkey. We also advise those who, while still living, wish to transfer their Turkish assets to family members properly, through wills and inheritance agreements.

Services we offer

  • Issuance of certificates of inheritance
  • Estate inventory, sealing, and bookkeeping
  • Title, bank, vehicle, and shareholding transfer procedures
  • Renunciation of inheritance and claim-to-inheritance actions
  • Drafting and interpretation of wills (official, holographic, oral)
  • Reserved-share and reduction (tenkis) actions
  • Recognition and enforcement of foreign court decisions on wills in Turkey
  • Inheritance and transfer tax planning

How we work

For a foreign heir, the process typically begins with the official recording of the deceased's death and the issuance of the certificate of inheritance. Once obtained, individual transfer procedures are carried out for each asset (title, bank, insurance, shareholders' register). If a foreign will exists, recognition and enforcement proceedings may be required; reduction (tenkis) actions may be needed where reserved shares have been infringed. Throughout, accurate calculation of inheritance and transfer tax — and consideration of renunciation — is significant from a financial perspective.

Frequently asked questions

I am a foreign heir to property in Turkey — what should I do?+
First obtain the certificate of inheritance, then carry out the transfer at the land registry. The inheritance and transfer tax declaration must also be filed within the statutory period. Apostille and translation of foreign documents are part of the process.
Can a foreign will be used to distribute Turkish property?+
Not directly. To take legal effect in Turkey, a foreign will must be recognised and enforced through court proceedings. It will be recognised provided it is not contrary to Turkish public order.
Can I renounce the inheritance?+
Yes. Renunciation must be filed before the civil court of peace within the statutory period. Where debts exceed the estate, renunciation can be financially protective.

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